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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9100

Portability
65
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9100 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Succeeded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX30 IS
Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Successor is Nikon S9300
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9100 Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon S9100, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the S9100 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was released 12 months prior to the S9100 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon S9100 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SX20 IS grades versus the S9100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Nikon S9100

 SX20 IS S9100 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Canon SX20 IS

 S9100 SX20 IS 
RevealedJuly 2011July 2010Fresher by 12 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon S9100

 SX20 IS S9100 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9100 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX20 IS comes with physical measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Nikon S9100 has specifications of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon S9100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the SX20 IS against the S9100.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and S9100 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9100 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading technical specs. The graphic here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX20 IS and S9100.

As you have seen, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs though you need to consider the age of the products into consideration. The older SX20 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography info
Nikon S9100 Portrait photography info
36
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
32
focusing manually
includes face detect autofocus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX20 IS
Street photography with Nikon S9100
49
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than others in class (600g)
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography information
Nikon S9100 Sports photography information
33
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
36
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (270 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon S9100 Travel photography advice
52
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (600 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than others in class (214g)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (270 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX20 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon S9100
35
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
39
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery (270 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging info
Nikon S9100 Vlogging info
49
decently wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (600 grams)
34
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (214g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have mic jack
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Nikon S9100
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISNikon Coolpix S9100
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Nikon Coolpix S9100
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-06 2011-07-19
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 160
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 214g (0.47 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 270 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $500 $329